Kris McIntyre finds kangaroos in the wild – and sea lions – off the edge of South Australia. Kangaroo Island
Hanging off the edge of the South Australian coast, Kangaroo Island is a wonderfully remote part of Australia that offers amazing scenery, nature and wildlife, but most importantly the chance to really leave the world behind. And whether you are a goddess who loves to travel for adventure, indulgence or pure escape there’s something for you (other than shopping – there’s not much of that here!)
Wildlife & Nature
Kangaroo Island’s biggest attraction by far is its nature, wildlife and scenery. ‘KI’ as the locals refer to it, is the third largest island in Australia (after Tasmania and Melville Island) and you’ll need at least four days here to explore it. It is a place of contrasts with dramatic coast lines, pristine beaches with barely a soul to be seen, native bushland, national parks and farmland all part of the offering. Vivonne Bay is rumoured to be one of the best beaches in Australia and the adventure through a labyrinth-like rock pathway to Stokes Bay is special. You’ll have the chance to see Australia’s cutest native animals including kangaroos in the wild, koalas at the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, sea lions and fur seals in their natural habitat at the Seal Bay Conservation Park. There’s also great fishing with local guides available to show you the best spots and tips. A word of warning about sharks … all I’ll say is that you don’t see many people swimming past waist-height and there’s probably good reason for it. Check out the local tourist guide for more information about local attractions.
Food & Wine
Kangaroo Island is making its mark as a ‘foodie’ destination. Famed for its Liguarian bee honey, cheese and fresh seafood – especially whiting and marron (freshwater crayfish), KI is also South Australia’s newest emerging wine region. Good Food Kangaroo Island’s food and wine trail of producers, farm gates, cellar doors and restaurants is the perfect way to see the island and taste it along the way.
• Fresh seafood – Ferguson Australia (48 Kohinoor Road, Kingscote) or Kangaroo Island Fresh Seafood & Takeaway (13 Telegraph Road, Kingscote – next to the Caltex service station), the Marron Café at Andermel Marron (Harriet Road, off South Coast Road)
• Honey – Island Beehive (1 Acacia Drive, Kingscote)
• Cheese & Yoghurt – Island Pure (Gum Greek Road, Cygnet River)
• Best restaurant – is rumoured to be Restaurant Bella (54 Dauncey Street, Kingscote Ph: 08 8553 0400) for pizzas by day and Mediterranean/ Asian dining by night.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options on KI range from camping and caravanning, to youth hostels, seaside holiday home rentals and apartments, to hosted B&Bs and uber-luxury with the amazing Southern Ocean Lodge. You can even stay in one of three lighthouse-keepers cottages on the Island. Visit Tour Kangaroo Island for a full range of accommodation options and bookings. My tip is to hire a big rambling house by the beach with good friends and stock up on great produce and wines.
Don’t Miss
• A long languid beach walk
• Looking up into the starry night sky
• The chance to slow down and do nothing at all
• Fish and chips at Kangaroo Island Fresh Seafood & Takeaway
• Grabbing a canvas and paints (from the gift store in Kingscote) and paint your own KI landscape
Getting there & around:
Kangaroo Island is an island so you need to do need to plan your arrival. The Island is approximately two hours drive (plus a 45 minute ferry trip) from Adelaide via the Fleurieu Coast and Cape Jervis, or a short 30-minute flight from Adelaide Airport. The island is much bigger than you imagine and there are no taxis or public transport, so you definitely need a car to make the most of your visit. For information on transport options to and around the island, including car hire, visit
http://www.southaustralia.com/KangarooIslandGettingAround.aspx
FAST FACTS & TIPS:
• Sealink Ferry – unless you plan to direct to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide, you will need to book you and your car (if you are hiring on the mainland) on the Sealink Ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. Online fares are $82 per person and $160 per car return. Book at www.sealink.com.au
• Car hire – you need a car to make the most of your trip here. You can either hire on the mainland (note Sealink Ferry information above) or from the Island. Plan ahead and visit http://www.southaustralia.com/KangarooIslandGettingAround.aspx
• Groceries & fresh produce – Kangaroo Island boasts amazing fresh produce, especially seafood, but it is worth being a prepared to make the most of it. If you are self-catering, bring your favourite cookbook and any gourmet/ hard to find items from the mainland and top up whilst you are there. There is an IGA in Penneshaw and a surprisingly good Farmland supermarket in Kingscote.
• Mobile phones & internet – with the exception of Telstra Next Generation, most mobile service providers don’t have mobile coverage on Kangaroo Island (in fact I lost coverage before I even reached Cape Jervis on the mainland). There is an internet café near the Sealink booking centre on Dauncey Street, Kingscote.
• Tourist Guides – Grab a copy of the local tourist guide from a Visitor Information Center (there’s one on the ground floor of Adelaide of Airport or you’ll be able to pick one up at the Sealink terminal in Cape Jervis, or at the information center in Penneshaw or Kingscote). You’ll find everything you’ll need inside including a map that spells out the driving times around the Island.
• Official website – Kangaroo Island
THE GODDESS MORE-OR-LESS CURRENCY GUIDE
All prices are in Australian dollars.
$10 Australian is more-or-less:
$7American
E5 Euros
L5 English Pounds
$55 Hong Kong Dollars
Y656 Japanese Yen
$10 Singapore Dollars
$12 New Zealand Dollars
For accurate currency conversion rates for all countries right now visit www.xe.com
Southern Ocean Lodge
